Elijah's method was a revelation for Snow. His memories were transformed from mere recollections to vivid experiences, and passionate hope turned into unwavering confidence.

The method not only reshaped his saidin but also tempered his body, propelling him to the fourth level of Forging. And not just any fourth-level Forger; armed with Elijah's knowledge and the insights gained from training Skyfall, Snow was confident he could now vanquish sixth-level opponents and even hold his own against formidable seventh-level warriors.

"Snow, your leg?" Zoe's voice held a hint of worry. Now that his saidin was fixed, she was fretting over his busted leg. Such injuries usually took months to heal. But Snow stood tall. "Don't you worry, Momma," he said, soothing her fears. "That liquid didn't just fix my saidin, it helped my leg too. Ain't fully healed, but I can move fine now. Should be good as new in a few days."

Relief washed over Zoe. "That's wonderful, dear." Curiosity gnawed at her. How could such an ordinary-looking concoction have such miraculous effects? The potential wealth it represented was mind-boggling.

Though very curious, Zoe didn't ask Snow. If he were willing to share, he would. It wasn't uncommon for mages to have their own secret methods of acquiring knowledge and resources.

In the next few days, a renewed vigor coursed through Snow. Dreamy, her eyes sparkling with joy, remained by his side, a constant source of sunshine in his recovery.

Suddenly one day, Zoe reminded Snow and Dreamy, "Today's the day for your Ironhard Draught. Y'all haven't gotten it yet, have ya?"

"That's right," Dreamy agreed, "we ain't gotten it yet. Let's go together, brother."

Dreamy grasped Snow's hand, her smile brighter than the morning sun, and they set off towards the clan hall where elixirs were distributed.

The Shadoway Clan, one of the three major forces in the town of Mountain View, occupied a vast area in the town center. Snow's home, however, resided in a remote corner, hundreds of yards away.

Snow and Dreamy's walk became a gauntlet of scorn. Servants of the Shadoway family openly pointed and gossiped. Children, emboldened by a sense of entitlement, hurled insults without a shred of decency. Years of such humiliation had become a bitter routine for Snow.

"Ain't that Snow? Heard his saidin was busted, but he looks alright to me. "

"Well, I'll be! That loser ain't dead yet? Thought he was a goner."

"What a waste of good air!" a voice sneered. "Leech off the family and still got the gall to walk around like he belongs?"

"Snow, if you had a lick of sense," another jeered, "you'd stop takin' what ain't yours!"

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Snow's face remained an impassive mask. In his memory, he had endured far worse in Elijah's life, an orphan with no hope of magic training. These taunts were mere pebbles on his path to vengeance. Soon, they would all be silenced.

"You..." Dreamy sputtered, her anger flaring. She glared at the jeering crowd, her fists clenching as if to yell, but Snow's hand on her arm stopped her outburst.

"Ain't worth it," Snow said, cool as a cucumber. Dreamy, still fuming, did as her brother said. They kept walking, heads held high.

In the distance, a servant spotted Snow. His expression twisted in disbelief. "Wasn't that cripple hobbled with busted saidin? How's he movin' so good?" He looked where Snow was headed - the elixir place. Panic set in. "He can't get the Ironhard Draught! Master Larry's gonna be mad! Gotta warn him!" The servant took off like a shot.

As Snow and Dreamy walked, a figure abruptly jumped in front of them. Snow recognized him - Drew Shadoway, his senior by a generation yet only a year older. The son of the Second Elder, Drew did not enjoy good relationship with Larry, a reflection of the strained relationship between the First and Second Elders.

"What's the matter, Drew?" Snow inquired, his voice devoid of emotion. Dreamy beside him pursed her lips, her dislike for Drew radiating like heat.

Drew Shadoway's face stayed still as stone. His voice, deep and rough, rumbled, "Snow, heard you got roughed up by Larry. Looks like you're back on your feet, though."

"Yep, still kickin'" Snow retorted, a hint of defiance lacing his words. "Sorry to disappoint some folks, though."

"Well now," Drew drawled. "Since you're all patched up, maybe you should think on some things. The Shadoway name means somethin', but even a good family can go downhill if it keeps feedin'...waste."

Dreamy bristled, her voice sharp as a knife. "Drew, who you callin' waste?"

"Sixteen years old," Drew went on, looking Snow dead in the eye, "and you're stuck at the third level of Forgin'. Ain't that a waste? If you're a real Shadoway, shouldn't you be thinkin' of the family first? Look at you, your own sister's done passed you by. Even if givin' up the Draught is hard, wouldn't you do it for her?" Drew's face got serious, sounding like he was preachin' to a youngster.

"Drew! You back off!" Dreamy exploded, her eyes blazing with fury. She wasn't gonna let anyone pick on her brother.

Snow's stayed calm, not showing a lick of emotion. Drew, at the top of the ninth level Forging, didn't need the Draught. Even though he was usually loud and proud, he didn't want Snow's share. This "lesson" was just Drew throwing his weight around. Snow didn't like it, but it didn't make him hate Drew.

"My business is my own, Drew. Don't you worry none," Snow said calmly, taking Dreamy's arm and walking past him.

Drew scowled. This good-for-nothin' Snow seemed different. The old Snow wouldn't have talked to him like that. But it didn't matter much. "Hmph, nothin' but a piece of trash," he muttered, shaking his head and striding away.

On Snow's only way to receive elixir, a young man looked sinister, and there were many servants surrounding him.

"Is it truly him, Snow?" the young man gasped, in a raspy voice, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"Yessir, he's on his way. Saw it with my own eyes, ain't a scratch on him." The servant nodded like a bobblehead. "Master Larry, let's teach him another lesson!" A mean grin spread across his face.

Larry furrowed his brow. "First Elder wouldn't give him the Azure Wellspring. But Snow's all healed up. They ain't got the coin for fancy elixirs. Did he steal it?"

Meanwhile, Snow regaled Dreamy with jokes, eliciting a string of giggles from the little girl. He seemed determined to erase the earlier unpleasantness from her mind.

As they rounded a corner, a group of figures came into view. Snow's voice strained as he uttered through gritted teeth, "Larry."